One Grateful Person Tag

Thank You Maxine for thinking of me for this tag. Gratitude is essential to a joyful life, and the liberty that comes as a result. Maxine is an encouraging voice in our community and reading her words is a blessing for the soul.

Purpose of this tag: To Highlight the Grateful Heart

Image: by Rosie Kerr

Maxine tagged me to write about the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17.  Jesus was dismayed that out of the 10 that He healed, only one returned grateful:

11 As He went on His way to Jerusalem, it occurred that [Jesus] was passing [along the border] between Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as He was going into one village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance.

13 And they raised up their voices and called, Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us!

14 And when He saw them, He said to them, Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cured and made clean.

15 Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice;

16 And he fell prostrate at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan.

17 Then Jesus asked, Were not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine?

18 Was there no one found to return and to recognize and give thanks and praise to God except this alien?

19 And He said to him, Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health.

I bolded the parts of this Scripture that depict a grateful heart. I believe that what all 10 lepers possessed from the beginning was faith and humility that Jesus could and would heal them. Faith and humility are prized attributes, therefore worthy of mention.

What sets the one leper apart, is that he was filled with gratitude such that he had to come back and express his thankfulness for the gift of healing provided. This makes my heart sing because I get a picture of this person barely able to contain the joy of such miraculous answer to prayer.

The gift of gratitude is that it is endless. Each time I speak of that for which I am grateful, I’m awash in the joyful moment all over. That joy is given to those around me, and Jesus is glorified! Praise His Name Forever! ~ Jacquie

I would like to nominate two people who I see as Grateful, and I encourage you to visit them:

Deb at Great is God’s Faithfulness

Lydia at In His Service and Loving It

Bless our God, O peoples, give Him grateful thanks and make the voice of His praise be heard,

Psalm 66:8